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Easing the transition between two lifestyles

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MANY Singaporean children re-entering the education system in their home country after living for a time in Hong Kong, face significant changes in lifestyle, language and culture.

But if the Singapore International School has served its main purpose - to teach the children of expatriates working in Hong Kong what students their age in Singapore learn - the transition should be smooth.

There are significant differences between the education systems of Singapore and Hong Kong, including the curriculum and language used in schools (Singaporeans speak Mandarin as their native language, although English is prevalent on the streets), the social and cultural environment of students, even the food eaten at canteens.

The SIS, started in 1991 by the 8,000-member Singapore Association of Hong Kong, not only aimed to simulate the education system in Singapore, but also to familiarise expatriates' children with Singapore life.

Apart from adopting the Singapore national curriculum and using English as the medium of instruction, the SIS arranged to send its students home to experience Singapore life first hand.

The so-called immersion programme, open to all except pre-preparatory students, involves a two-week stay in Singapore, attending school and being shown the social and cultural side of the country.

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